BEIRUT (AP) — Hundreds of people in Lebanon paid tribute Monday to iconic composer, pianist and playwright Ziad Rahbani, who died over the weekend. His mother, Fayrouz, one of the Arab world's most esteemed singers, made a rare public appearance.
Rahbani, also known as a political provocateur, died Saturday at age 69. The cause of death was not immediately known.
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Lebanon's diva Fairuz, right, one of the Arab world's most popular singers and the mother of Ziad Rahbani, a visionary Lebanese composer, playwright, pianist and political provocateur, who died last Saturday at age 69, receives condolences during her son's funeral at a church in Bekfaya town, mount Lebanon, Monday, July 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)
Lebanon's diva Fairuz, centre, one of the Arab world's most popular singers and the mother of Ziad Rahbani, a visionary Lebanese composer, playwright, pianist and political provocateur, who died last Saturday at age 69, arrives to attend her son's funeral at a church in Bekfaya town, mount Lebanon, Monday, July 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Mohammed Anouti)
Lebanon's diva Fairuz, right, one of the Arab world's most popular singers and the mother of Ziad Rahbani, a visionary Lebanese composer, playwright, pianist and political provocateur, who died last Saturday at age 69, receives condolences during her son's funeral at a church in Bekfaya town, mount Lebanon, Monday, July 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)
Mourners mourn over the coffin of Ziad Rahbani, a visionary Lebanese composer, playwright, pianist and political provocateur, who died last Saturday at age 69, during Rahbani's funeral at a church in Bekfaya town, mount Lebanon, Monday, July 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Mohammed Anouti)
Relatives of Ziad Rahbani, a visionary Lebanese composer, playwright, pianist and political provocateur, who died last Saturday at age 69, gather around his coffin during his funeral at a church in Bekfaya town, mount Lebanon, Monday, July 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Mohammed Anouti)
Lebanon's diva Fairuz, centre, one of the Arab world's most popular singers and the mother of Ziad Rahbani, a visionary Lebanese composer, playwright, pianist and political provocateur, who died last Saturday at age 69, arrives to attend her son's funeral at a church in Bekfaya town, mount Lebanon, Monday, July 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Mohammed Anouti)
A mourner holds up a portrait of Ziad Rahbani, a visionary Lebanese composer, playwright, pianist and political provocateur, who died last Saturday at age 69, as she marches during Rahbani's funeral in Beirut, Lebanon, Monday, July 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)
His passing shocked much of the Arab world, which appreciated his satire, unapologetic political critique and avante-garde, jazz-inspired compositions that mirrored the chaos and contradictions of Lebanon throughout its civil war from 1975 until 1990. He also composed some of his mother's most famous songs.
The Rahbani family was a cornerstone in Lebanon's golden era of music theater that today is steeped in idealism and nostalgia in a troubled country.
Top Lebanese political officials and artists paid tribute after the death was announced. Rahbani, a leftist Greek Orthodox, often mocked Lebanon’s sectarian divisions in his work.
Hundreds of people holding roses and photos gathered by Khoury Hospital near Beirut's busy Hamra district, solemnly singing some of his most famous songs and applauding as a vehicle carrying his body left its garage.
Reem Haidar, who grew up during the civil war, said Rahbani’s songs and their messages were what she and others associated with at a time when there was “no nation to belong to.”
The vehicle made its way to a church in the mountainous town of Bikfaya before burial in the family cemetery.
Fayrouz, 90, had spent many years away from the public eye. Wearing black sunglasses and a black veil, she greeted visitors who came to pay respects. She had not been seen publicly since photos surfaced of her meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron, who visited her residence in 2020 to award her France's highest medal of honor.
In recent years, Rahbani also appeared less in the public eye, yet his influence never waned. Younger generations rediscovered his plays online and sampled his music in protest movements. He continued to compose and write, speaking often of his frustration with Lebanon’s political stagnation and decaying public life.
Rahbani is survived by his mother and his sister Reema and brother Hali.
Lebanon's diva Fairuz, right, one of the Arab world's most popular singers and the mother of Ziad Rahbani, a visionary Lebanese composer, playwright, pianist and political provocateur, who died last Saturday at age 69, receives condolences during her son's funeral at a church in Bekfaya town, mount Lebanon, Monday, July 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)
Mourners mourn over the coffin of Ziad Rahbani, a visionary Lebanese composer, playwright, pianist and political provocateur, who died last Saturday at age 69, during Rahbani's funeral at a church in Bekfaya town, mount Lebanon, Monday, July 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Mohammed Anouti)
Relatives of Ziad Rahbani, a visionary Lebanese composer, playwright, pianist and political provocateur, who died last Saturday at age 69, gather around his coffin during his funeral at a church in Bekfaya town, mount Lebanon, Monday, July 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Mohammed Anouti)
Lebanon's diva Fairuz, centre, one of the Arab world's most popular singers and the mother of Ziad Rahbani, a visionary Lebanese composer, playwright, pianist and political provocateur, who died last Saturday at age 69, arrives to attend her son's funeral at a church in Bekfaya town, mount Lebanon, Monday, July 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Mohammed Anouti)
A mourner holds up a portrait of Ziad Rahbani, a visionary Lebanese composer, playwright, pianist and political provocateur, who died last Saturday at age 69, as she marches during Rahbani's funeral in Beirut, Lebanon, Monday, July 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — There were plenty of questions about how the Carolina Panthers would fare in the postseason.
They repeatedly missed opportunities down the stretch to wrap up the NFC South, only to back into the playoffs with a losing record on the final day of the regular season.
Las Vegas oddsmakers sure didn't believe in the Panthers. Carolina entered the week 200-1 longshots to win the Super Bowl — by far the lowest of any of the 14 teams in the postseason — and a 10 1/2-point home underdog to the Los Angeles Rams in Saturday's wild-card game, according to BetMGM Sportsbook.
But the Panthers proved they were indeed playoff worthy — nearly pulling off a stunning upset.
“We just showed people that we aren’t the old Panthers,” cornerback Mike Jackson said.
They took the high-powered Rams to the brink of elimination before All-Pro quarterback Matthew Stafford pulled out a late 34-31 victory with a 19-yard touchdown pass to Colby Parkinson with 38 seconds left, allowing Los Angeles to move on to the divisional playoffs and abruptly end Carolina's season.
After the game, there was a mixture of pride and pain in the locker room. But above all, there was optimism and hope.
“This is the new standard now. We're going to be a playoff team," defensive lineman and team captain Derrick Brown told his teammates.
“A lot of people didn’t give us a chance,” Jackson said. "I think the spread was something crazy. So, we just showed people who we are, and we got a lot to build on.”
The biggest question entering this season was whether Bryce Young was the right guy to lead the franchise.
The No. 1 pick in 2023 showed he doesn't lack heart, leading six winning drives in the fourth quarter or overtime. He now has 12 in the past three seasons, more than anyone named Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes or even Stafford, who denied Young No. 13.
It wasn't always pretty this season for Young, but there's clearly something to build on.
He overcame an early interception Saturday and completed 21 of 40 passes for 264 yards, including a well-placed 7-yard touchdown pass to Jalen Coker with 2:39 left to put the Panthers ahead 31-27. He also fearlessly ran for a 16-yard TD.
“He just showed who he is, man,” Jackson said. “A lot of people talk about how little he is, how he can’t get it done, and it’s just like, he doesn’t listen to it. He is a silent killer, and I love that about him.”
The Panthers finished 8-10 overall, but took a big step — a year before most in and around the organization thought they would be competitive.
It might not have unfolded the way they wanted it to by losing four of five to close the season, but the Panthers snapped a seven-year playoff drought and dethroned four-time NFC South champion Tampa Bay to win their first division title in a decade.
“There is such a mix of emotions right now in the locker room, from guys being proud of what we accomplished and where we got, to being sick about the opportunity that was right there in front of us,” second-year coach Dave Canales said. “And that is going to sting.”
“I didn’t want it to end,” Young said. “It’s a super special group of guys in the locker room. I’m super proud of the way guys responded to adversity.”
There will be mistakes that will be questioned this week, too.
— Why did the Panthers appear to give the Rams receivers so much cushion on Stafford's winning drive?
— Why were they unable to advance the ball a single yard on their final drive with 38 seconds left and three timeouts remaining?
Despite it all, this will go down as a season of growth for a young team.
And the future appears bright.
“They’re really creating a beautiful culture here. Guys are bought in,” safety Nick Scott said. “Hopefully, they will continue to be here and good things will happen in the future.”
After the game, Canales said starting left tackle Ickey Ekwonu suffered a significant right knee injury in the first quarter that caused him to leave the game. The extent of the injury was not immediately known, but it's possible it could impact Ekwonu's availability for training camp.
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Carolina Panthers cornerback Mike Jackson (2) celebrates with teammates after intercepting a pass by Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford during the second half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Jalen Coker (18) walks off the field after a loss to the Los Angeles Rams during an NFL wild-card playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales answers questions after an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard (30) kneels on the field after a loss to the Los Angeles Rams in an NFL wild-card playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Erik Verduzco)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young answers questions after an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
